Media

Education

Safe Schools and School Choice

• Marc LeBlond
• August 24, 2018

It’s back-to-school time. For parents, sending children into someone else’s care can be bittersweet. We want our kids to experience the wonder of learning and the joy of play. But…

Media

Guest Post: Pa. Government Workers Need a Voice

• August 23, 2018

I love reading the Commonwealth Foundation’s take on policies that will benefit Pennsylvania. It’s not about abstract beliefs. It’s because the Commonwealth Foundation and I see eye-to-eye on the one…

Media

Another Corporate Welfare Failure

• August 23, 2018

In a story (paywall) on Pennsylvania’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (R-Cap), Robert Swift raises a valid concern about the role the program plays in elections. R-Cap, which uses taxpayer-financed…

Media

Public Union Democracy

Pa. Supreme Court Allows Stealth Unionization of Home Care Workers

• Jessica Barnett
• August 22, 2018

In 2015, Dave Smith and Don Lambrecht were catapulted to the center-stage of Pennsylvania policy, a role neither man ever wanted by fighting a threat to their way of life. Permanently…

Media

Public Union Democracy

Unions’ Investment Pays Off, Court OKs Wolf’s Home Care Unionization Scheme

• August 21, 2018

Today, the state Supreme Court reinstated Gov. Tom Wolf’s 2015 executive order allowing more than 20,000 home care workers to be unionized. Wolf’s order was previously declared illegal and permanently…

Press Release

State Budget

Refocus on Government Assistance that Transforms Lives for Good

• Elizabeth Stelle
• August 20, 2018

Six years ago, the Pennsylvania legislature ended the General Assistance program, a monthly cash benefit to disabled adults. In that same bill, Pennsylvania strengthened food stamp work requirements (later rolled…

Media

Public Union Democracy

Advancing Workplace Freedom For Public Employees

• Jessica Barnett
• August 16, 2018

Efforts to enhance public sector workplace democracy has gained momentum in the Pennsylvania legislature. In Janus v. AFSCME, the Supreme Court restored workers’ freedom to stop paying fees to unions they…

Media

Government Accountability

Does Power Corrupt? Absolutely.

• August 9, 2018

Pennsylvania’s prohibition error(!) liquor system lends itself to corruption. The sentencing of former Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) official James Short serves as a stark reminder of this undeniable fact.

Media

Taxes & Economy

Tax Reform Continues to Produce Positive News

• August 8, 2018

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) has provided much-needed tax relief to working people—a key selling point leading up to passage of the law. However, the act’s advocates…

Media

Education

“Sick Schools”: Philadelphia Students Deserve Better

• August 8, 2018

Earlier this year, the Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News published a shocking series, “Toxic City: Sick Schools.” The report revealed abysmal conditions in Philadelphia district schools: peeling lead paint,…

Media

Health Care

Trump Administration Bridges Health Insurance Gap

• Elizabeth Stelle
• August 8, 2018

Help could soon be on the way for many of those harmed by Obamacare's burdensome rules and regulations. The Trump administration recently announced that they will expand short-term health…

Media

Education

Filling in the Gap: Cyber Charter Schools

• August 6, 2018

Last month, the Commonwealth Foundation sat down with cyber charter school leaders Dr. Maurice “Reese” Flurie, Tom Longenecker, and Christine Hakes to discuss school choice. As the CEO, COO, and…

Media

Public Union Democracy

Resigning from a Government Union is No Easy Task

• Elizabeth Stelle
• July 31, 2018

Want to join a union? Easy, just sign on the dotted line. Want to leave a union? Sharpen your research skills, because it's no easy task. This fact was made…

Media

Taxes & Economy

Exploding Myths about Tax Reform

• July 25, 2018

The misconceptions partially driving public opinion of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) are stubbornly persistent. Opponents of the tax reform have invented myth after myth to sour public perception…

Media

Health Care

Small Increases Expected on Pa.’s Exchange

• Elizabeth Stelle
• July 25, 2018

Pennsylvanians who purchase health insurance on the Exchange will finally get some relief from years of premium hikes. Pa. Insurance Commissioner Jessica Altman announced they expect an average premium…

Media

Government Accountability

State Budget Bill Packed with $35 Million in Earmarks

• July 24, 2018

July 24, 2018, Harrisburg, Pa.—Nearly 50 obscurely-worded earmarks are buried in Pennsylvania’s fiscal code—amounting to $35 million in hidden expenses—according to a Commonwealth Foundation analysis. Click here for a searchable…

Press Release

Criminal Justice Reform

Another Step Towards Reducing Barriers to Work

• Elizabeth Stelle
• July 23, 2018

Pennsylvania licenses over 250 occupations, creating unnecessary bureaucracy and obstacles to good paying jobs. Across the country states like Arizona, Michigan, Rhode Island, and Nebraska are eliminating licensure requirements…

Media

Education

Philly’s Soda Tax is Legal But Not Beneficial

• July 20, 2018

This week the Pennsylvania Supreme Court upheld Philadelphia’s soda tax, citing the Sterling Act as grounds for their decision. While supporters celebrate their good intentions, the tax is…

Media

High Taxes are Punishing and Pushing Out Residents

• July 20, 2018

People can do amazing things. They create, innovate, support, and sacrifice. They are the lifeblood of an economy. Losing people to other cities, states, or countries can be devastating for…

Media

Education

ESAs: The Future of Education

• Colleen Hroncich
• July 19, 2018

“Hold the pickles, hold the lettuce. Special orders don’t upset us. All we ask is that you let us serve it your way.” This Burger King jingle from the 1970s…

Media

State Budget

The Tangible Benefits of Tax Reform

• July 18, 2018

One of the many benefits of federal tax reform kicked in earlier this month in the form of lower utility bills for Pennsylvania residents. Back in May, the Pennsylvania Public…

Media